I don't know about you, but May 14th can't get here soon enough! Mark your calendars and prepare yourselves for Myles Kennedy's latest release, The Ides of March. If the debut video for "In Stride" is any indication of how bad ass this album might be, I'm down. Kennedy is one of rocks premier vocalists, and am 100% certain his upcoming release will take it to a whole new level. Check out a snippet of the official press release below, and get ready have your doors blown off when Ides of March drops in, well, May!
(New York, NY) – Never a musician to waste any precious time, Alter Bridge and Slash and the Conspirators vocalist Myles Kennedy used the recent pandemic to finalize his sophomore solo album. During his time at home due to all touring being canceled, Myles created the framework for the song ideas that would make up The Ides Of March. He then called up his cohorts from his Year Of The Tiger debut - longtime friend and drummer Zia Uddin and bassist/manager Tim Tournier - and the three musicians drove to Florida to record the album with longtime producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette. The finished result is the exciting album that incorporates Myles’ love of rock/blues/country - slated for release on May 14th via Napalm Records.
From the slide guitar riffs of the album opener “Get Along” to the pensive blues style of closer “Worried Mind,” it is clear that Myles has crafted a formidable follow up to his debut solo album. While Year Of The Tiger was more of an acoustic exploration through Myles’ mind, The Ides Of March finds him strapping on his electric guitar and pushing himself as a guitarist/songwriter. Tracks like “A Thousand Words,” “Wake Me When It’s Over” and “Moonshot” showcase the diverse music arrangements that has garnered Myles fans globally across all of his projects. The epic “The Ides Of March” clocks in at over 7-minutes and Myles, Tim and Zia showcase their musical chops on the track. The first single , “In Stride”, opens with Myles showcasing his slide playing before delivering a lyrical message to “take it all in stride.” The video for “In Stride” marks a return by Stefano Bertelli (who created the “Native Son” video for Alter Bridge) and shows an animated Myles as he takes the end of the world in stride.
“Chill out. That pretty much sums it up,” explains Myles Kennedy about the single. “The lyric paints a picture of a survivalist preparing for an impending zombie apocalypse. It was inspired by the first wave of lockdowns as everyone was buying vast amounts of toilet paper and supplies. I started to ask myself if it might be wise to try and gain some perspective and not overreact… keep calm and carry on.”
Xhaania’s saucy lyrics and fresh new approach to R&B music has substantially altered the music scene. Her single ‘In the Middle’ has recently gained a lot of attention from big music channels like BET, Revolt and Music Choice. She has been able to generate a lot of buzz without the help of a major label which for an independent artist is a major accomplishment. She is creating a lane of her own by mixing dancehall, r&b, soul, pop and hip hop to create a captivating and compelling new sound. Her music video is energetic and captures her style and silky-smooth vocals.
Xhaania (Pronounced ZA-NEE-AH) is a 22-year-old singer, songwriter and recording artist born in Los Angeles, California. As a child, she grew up in a poverty-stricken area in St. Catherine, Jamaica. Here, she was surrounded by a lot of love, Jamaican music and culture. This had a heavy influence on her music and sound as an artist. Growing up very shy, she found the arts as a means to create her own world. Naturally, she gravitated towards music, dance and performance. When she moved back to the US, she started writing poems and songs as a way to cope with her homesickness and sadness. She also trained in different forms of dance to build her confidence. because she was bullied in school for her accent and dark skin tone. Singing and dancing has always been a form of healing and a way she could express her emotions. Living in the states, she became more exposed to different styles of music and dance. She often pulls from these different influences to create her own style by mixing genres.
In 2017, she started recording her songs on Garage Band and her parents took an interest. With their support, she ventured into the music industry in 2018. She recently graduated college with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and now attends Musicians Institute for the Independent Artist program. Her latest single called ‘Mash up yuh Head’ has a strong reggae influence and features the Jamaican artist, Thugsy Malone. Her music has also featured on movies like ‘Choice’ and ‘Born Bad’ which are all available on Amazon. Now she is working on her first EP set to be release in. spring of 2020. Xhaania’s influence in music is very powerful.
Many of her supporters have stated that her music has helped them get through major challenges in their lives. It’s amazing that her music can help people and be a form of healing and therapy. This inspires her to continue expressing the many layers of herself through songwriting. It has been an amazing journey so far and she will continue to grow and express herself through different forms of art like music, dance and fashion. She loves the creative arts and brands herself as not just a recording artist but as a creative person that unapologetically expresses her truth. She wants her music to make a positive impact and inspire young people from all over the world to follow their dreams and believe in themselves. 2021 looks like a great year for Xhaania. Keep an eye out for this artist, she is expected to do great things in this industry.
Hunnypot is proud to be Xhaania's official sync representative both Masters & Publishing, ask us about LICENSING!
So not too long ago, Matt was chatting with me and he said he got the opportunity to interview System of a Down Bassist Shavo Odadjian, focusing in on his latest project, North Kingsley. Not having heard of this project, I gave recently released EP Vol. 1 a quick listen to familiarize myself with the band. At first, I was confused why there was only 3 songs. I could only imagine there would be more where these first 3 came from. Little did I know, Vol. 2 was on its way and that I was going to get the opportunity to review it. Let's dig in!
Right out of the gate, listeners need to know that North Kingsley's sound is different. It doesn't fit neatly into a particular genre as one might expect, but rather a mix of diverse genres that incorporate cinematic instruments and intense vocals into thought-provoking songs relevant in these uncertain times. After getting my feet wet with Vol. 1, I gave Vol. 2 the playthrough and needless to say, I was super impressed to see Wu-Tang Clan's RZA on the first track, “False Idols”. I really enjoyed this song because I definitely could hear the similarities to System of a Down with Shavo's signature bass lines. It’s hard to pinpoint where they lean more on the genre scale because you have songs like this where it’s a deep bass/guitar with vocals that almost seem like it could be a rock song, but then the next track, “Rifle in Thought”, takes a complete 180 and is on a whole other playing field.
It’s super interesting to see Shavo go from what he did in System of a Down to a band like this. I guess that’s why music is music though, you can do whatever you want! I like it when artists take a step out of the usual and try something different. Sometimes it doesn’t work but a lot of times it can work out in their favor. I can definitely say that this style of music is something I have never heard before and it definitely has appeal to it. As a creator myself, It was awesome to see Shavo stepping out of what many would consider his typical space and creating these unique songs via North Kingsley. Overall, these 3 new songs on Vol. 2 are great and I feel this trio has a lot of potential to shake up the music scene in the months ahead and years to come.
One last thing I will make a note on is the manner in how North Kingsley is releasing these songs. First off, I love the colors of the album art. I enjoy uniformity in a brand, and they are executing it really well. It’s simple but unique and says a lot. And to end this, I have never heard of 3 song releases before. I think it keeps people wanting to come back for more which is genius marketing. I’m a nerd about that stuff. In addition, I must say that Ray Hawthorne's vocals throughout Vol. 2 are straight fire and the production quality courtesy of Saro Paparian is simply out of this world. The album doesn't pop without these guys, and I must give these guys credit where credit is due. Bottom line, I loved Vol. 2 and am so looking forward to North Kingsley's next set of songs to come out in the not so distant future. Big things are on the horizon for this band, and can't wait to catch them live when all of the Covid madness comes to an end!
Be well and keep rocking! Hunnypot Approved! Overall Rating: 9.0 out of 10
Artist: North Kingsley, Album: Vol. 2, Release Date: December 4th, 2020
As news coverage understandably focused on the devastating death of legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen in October, another musicians’ passing was perhaps somewhat overlooked. Tony Lewis, best known as the lead singer and bassist for The Outfield, unexpectedly passed away less than two weeks after EVH. Interestingly, the Lewis family decided to thank fans by releasing Lewis’ final work, a 6-song solo EP entitled More Than I Dared. Wow, I had to take a listen - out of both curiosity and to pay tribute to a talented artist I really enjoyed growing up.
Lewis co-founded The Outfield who’s debut album, Play Deep, was certified triple platinum in 1985. The band’s top 10 hit “Your Love”, highlighted by Lewis’ memorable opening line, “Josie’s on a vacation far away…”, still reigns as a widely popular 80’s anthem. Fellow co-founder of The Outfield, John Spinks, passed away in 2014 and Lewis launched his first solo album in 2018. With the world in pandemic lockdown mode, Lewis spent much of 2020 working in his home recording studio near London self-producing his second solo album.
Bolstered by lyrics written by Lewis’ wife Carol of 35 years, More Than I Dared features his familiar yet distinct high tenor voice. The album overflows with sweetly simple but uplifting catchy pop rock melodies that will have listeners singing along by the middle of the first chorus. Just hours after listening to the album for the first time, I already found myself humming along to “Gonna Make You Love Me” while making dinner! Not surprisingly, this song is the lead single and was chosen by the Lewis family for an official music video release featuring photos and home video of Lewis.
My musical tastes lean toward the hard rock spectrum, thus “My World” caught my attention as an edgier melodic up-tempo rocker driven by bright clean electric guitar hooks as Tony defiantly proclaims, “You can’t take my world away…my beautiful beautiful world”. The album switches gears with “I Feel Alive”, a mellow love song with a beat perfectly suited to inspire listeners to slowly sway their hands in the air.
I was also caught off guard with the surprisingly unique, “Then There Was You”. Lewis boldly steps away from his signature style and delivers a tune built around heavy synth and energetic electronic drumbeats. He crafts a mesmerizing dreamy vocal approach and takes us on a rockin’ techno journey to fondly reminisce about the magical night he met his wife.
Tony Lewis’ death adds an unintended melancholy undertone to this otherwise upbeat album, but it also reminds me of what makes music beautiful. Music helps us both mourn and celebrate – often helping us channel and manage conflicting powerful emotions. More Than I Dared is a worthy swan song, a celebration of genuine pop rock oozing in catchiness – a special parting musical gift from Lewis to us all.
Be well and keep rockin’! Hunnypot Approved! Overall Rating: 9.1 out of 10
Artist: Tony Lewis, Album: More Than I Dared, Release Date: November 17th, 2020, Label: Madison Records
Have you ever waited 10 years for an album to release? After a decade, the concept album series of a Kid named Cudi finally has its third installment in Man on the Moon III: The Chosen. The long-awaited follow up to Kid Cudi’s debut LP, Man on the Moon: The End of Day, and his sophomore release, Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager, MOTM3 finally dropped last Friday, marking his seventh solo studio LP to date. Much like its predecessors, this album showcases Kid Cudi’s unique style of hip-hop, mixing in plenty of other familiar forms of the genre as well. And with production by Dot da Genius, Plain Pat, Finneas, Take a Daytrip, Nosaj Thing, FnZ, Teddy Walton, Mike Dean, WundaGirl, Kid Cudi himself, and more, there is a lot this album has to offer for both old and new fans. With all that said, how does this entry hold up after such a long wait?
Return 2 Madness
There is a seamless transition from the dark themes in MOTM2 to MOTM3, but featuring noticeable growth. Beginning with the familiar “Cudder Anthem” melody, the intro leads into "Tequila Shots", the first true song on the tracklist, and features narration reminiscent of Common’s contributions to MOTM. "Another Day" has an early Cudi style, while "She Knows This" takes a hard turn. "Dive" is another strong track, featuring samples from Tame Impala, and displaying the fluid style Kid Cudi masters so well. This first act sends the listener back into Kid Cudi’s convoluted mind, with sprinkled references to past albums.
The Rager, The Menace
"Damaged" is a dark ballad with an emotional hook, as the album slides deeper into Kid Cudi’s mental state. "Heaven On Earth" and "Show Out" dive into familiar hip-hop styles from recent years, while maintaining an undeniable Cudi personality. Show Out also features Skepta and posthumous vocals by Pop Smoke. "Mr. Solo Dolo III", is the third part to "Solo Dolo" (from MOTM) and "Solo Dolo, Part II" (from Indicud), and is just one of the highlights from this album. This act shows how Kid Cudi’s music has evolved, as he takes influence from artists who initially took their influences from him.
Heart of Rose Gold
"Sad People" is another track that feels fitting for the times in style, but still uniquely Cudi. "Elsie’s Baby Boy" recalls Kid Cudi’s past, and utilizes a familiar sample from The Animals rendition of "House of the Rising Sun". This section of the album takes a breath with "Sept. 16". Then, "The Void" has a groove switched up from the songs immediately prior, and its outro calls back to "Marijuana" (from MOTM2), more references to the previous entries in this concept. This act initiates a turning point in the album, with "Lovin’ Me", which features Phoebe Bridgers.
Powers
The final act presents Kid Cudi’s triumphant return with "Pale Moonlight", "Rockstar Knights", featuring Trippie Redd, and "4 Da Kidz", all of which are more upbeat, and mix the classic styles Kid Cudi is known for with the more experimental routes he’s taken since, wrapped up with influence from the various forms of “rockstar” hip-hop that’s hot today. The album concludes with "Lord I Know", with a relatively positive message behind it.
Altogether, Man on the Moon III was an appropriate next step for this concept, and was a beautiful showcase of emotion and mental hardships. So, does it hold up after such a long wait? The truth is, it’s difficult to meet everyone’s expectations after a decade of anticipation, but this album stands as one of Kid Cudi’s best. It goes back to the roots, without forgetting the growth, and provides something for Cudi fans of any preference. Man on the Moon III an instant classic.
Be well and keep groovin'! Hunnypot Approved! Overall Rating: 8.8 out of 10
Artist: Kid Cudi, Album: Man on the Moon III: The Chosen, Release Date: December 11th, 2020, Label: Republic Records
"Just when you figured Dream Theater could not get any better, they drop another bombshell with the release of Distant Memories – Live in London. It’s 100% unadulterated perfection from start to finish in a year that’s seen its fair share of failure, disappointments, along with a complete shutdown of the live music industry. If this Dream Theater release doesn’t get your juices flowing for live music’s return in 2021, nothing will..!"
It was just a few short years ago that Dream Theater hit the road in support of their latest studio album, Distance Over Time. In addition to hearing this masterpiece live, fans were also were treated to the critically acclaimed, Metropolis Part 2 – Scenes From a Memory, in its entirety. As one of the band’s initial live music photographers on that tour, I can honestly say I had never experienced a concert like that before. The lighting was perfect, the sound quality was off the charts, and the musicianship (as one might expect) was second to none. And after capturing two full Dream Theater shows at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, I honestly felt I never would experience a live performance like that again. To my surprise, Dream Theater had the forethought to capture this tour’s brilliance and finally released their latest live installment, Distant Memories – Live in London.
From the first notes of “Untethered Angel” to the final crescendo of “Pale Blue Dot”, it was clear that James LaBrie (Vocals), John Petrucci (Guitars), Jordan Rudess (Keyboards), John Myung (Bass), and Mike Mangini (Drums) were all dialed in for this one. The chemistry that I felt lacked on The Astonishing Album (and subsequent tour) roared back to life on this one and quite possibly may have taken it to a whole new level (if that’s even remotely possible). Then just when you thought it could not get any better, fans were treated to a near perfect recreation of Metropolis Part 2 – Scenes From a Memory. Nearly 20 years since its initial release, this opus is still the standard-bearer for past and present concept albums and their live version of this opus was nothing short of progressive perfection.
What stood out the most about Distant Memories – Live in London, was the albums cinematic brilliance. Throughout the release, there was a noticeable tension that ebbed and flowed within each song. One moment you are pushing the boundaries of what musical instruments are capable of, the next moment you are free-floating in a dreamlike state. And this one isn’t a ‘one-trick’ pony by any means. It’s replicated over and over in unique and innovative ways that keeps listeners engaged throughout the entire live performance. I found myself going back to the well many times and each time walked away with a new favorite. I'm sure you'll feel the same way.
At the end of the day, I believe that Dream Theater is once again sitting on a progressive goldmine with their latest release, Distant Memories – Live in London. It has everything fans would want in a live album and so much more. The amazing musicianship that LaBrie, Petrucci, Rudess, Myung, and Mangini have harnessed on this album sets it apart from other live performances in their legendary discography (and that’s no small feat). Pound for pound, Distant Memories – Live in London, is one of Dream Theater’s finest live recordings to date and is poised for greatness in the not-so-distant future.
As always, rock on my friends! Hunnypot Approved! Overall Rating: 9.4 out of 10
Artist: Dream Theater, Album: Distance Over Time, Release Date: November 27th, 2020, Label: InsideOutMusic / Sony Music
Never one to be predictable, the sci-fi, progressive metal exploits of Canadian metal legends, Voivod span time and space. Recorded live in Québec City, Voivod’s latest release, Lost Machine - Live, consists of 13 tracks spanning their epic journey across the cosmos while promoting their latest album, The Wake. After nearly 40 years perfecting the Voivod machine, Vocalist, Denis “Snake” Belanger; guitarist, Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain; bassist, Dominic “Rocky” Laroche; and drummer Michel “Away” Langevin, sound invigorated and sharp as ever.
Rocky’s opening bass chug launches the album with the opener, “Post Society” and continues on through the stratosphere with “Psychic Vacuum” from their groundbreaking offering, Dimension Hatröss. Evolving their sound into the modern day, “Obsolete Beings’, “Iconspiracy”, “The End of Dormancy”, and “Always Moving” from their latest epic, The Wake, sound right at home with “Overreaction” off of 1987’s Killing Technology. Circling back towards the band’s beginnings, the album closes with their namesake, the self-titled, “Voivod” off their inaugural release, War and Pain.
Having been fortunate enough to experience this tour first-hand, I still get goosebumps remembering the sudden shift in atmosphere as the cosmic dissonance reverberated my skull as Snake towered right over me while the band transported us all into a Voivodian wasteland while igniting the crowd into a state of frenzied psychosis.
Lost Machine - Live is Voivod’s legacy preserved in time. It serves as a primer to those new to the Voivod mythos and also a tribute to those who have welded themselves on board since the beginning. While the world seems to be spiraling endlessly into a black abyss, we can at least count on the legacy of Voivod to offer us a new way to look at the sky.
As always, rock on my friends! Hunnypot Approved! Overall Rating: 9.0 out of 10
Artist: Voivod LP: Lost Machine - Live, Release Date: November 27th, 2020, Label: Century Media Records
As a young music publisher I came across the Seattle band Sky Cries Mary back in 1991. Around the time SCM released the EP Exit At The Access. The moment I heard Roderick Wolgamott and his forever evolving cast of incredibly talented creators and musicians, well, I instantly fell in love and have been a lifelong fan and supporter. Their blend of space rock mysticism, psychedelic tribal jam band mixed with ethereal vocals has always come across as profound.
There's deep affection for the group in the Film Music Supervisor community. "The Elephant Song" was featured on the soundtrack for the movie The Harvest. "Shipwrecked" was featured on the soundtrack for the movie Tank Girl and their song "Cornerman" was featured in the movie Higher Learning.
Sky Cries Mary recently released their 11th album entitled Secrets of a Red Planet. Featured here is the single/video for "Waves of Morning". It's memorizing and a suitable preview for the rest of the album.
I encourage all to dive in to the full Secrets of a Red Planet album. Much more to come from Roderick, Ben Ireland, Debora Reese, Curt Eckman, Kevin Whitworth and Jack Endino.
-John Anderson a.k.a. Hot Tub Johnnie
What does it take to do three sets, in three time zones, in 15 hours? Ask Fozzy, as that is exactly how they kicked off their Judas Rising Tour, with a marathon of sets in Fort Myers, El Paso, and Las Vegas in a single day. Clips from these concerts were included in documentary fashion, in Fozzy Across America, as part of a live-stream concert produced over the weekend and filmed live in Atlanta, GA. The roughly two-hour event began with the mini-doc hyping up the tour, as well as the work ethic and all around energy Fozzy brings to the table, then led directly into Capturing Judas, featuring the band performing their tour set, live in the studio. It was a unique experience, which not only highlighted Fozzy’s creativity, but also showed the potential for live music in a time of scarcity.
Fozzy Across America gave a peek into the quick mini-tour of the same name, which launched the Judas Rising Tour. Interviews with the band and crew at the various locations, backstage and in-flight footage, and shots from the shows, featuring a soundtrack of music from the tour, not only made for an incredible promotion piece, but also gave insight into Fozzy’s personalities and relationships with each other, in a way that is not often seen for touring bands. Hearing about and seeing how those concerts came together, and witnessing the commitment to entertaining bona fide Fozzy fans was inspiring. Fozzy Across America seemed to be the perfect first step of Fozzy’s most recent tour, and seeing that come to life, along with the concert which followed, was the perfect way to cap it off.
As the world put restrictions on large gatherings, Fozzy had to improvise regarding their Judas Rising Tour, which is what led to Capturing Judas: a live-streamed, in-studio concert of the tour setlist, performed by Fozzy, and featuring story-telling about stops on the larger tour, as well as how the production was formulated. It was another creative glimpse into Fozzy’s personal sides, as well as a memorable performance, by more than live-stream standards. Performances live in the studio have a vibe that’s not quite the same as a traditional concert recording, and far different from polished studio albums. This performance allowed each song to have a composition and identity contrasted from their original album counterparts. Getting to see, and hear Fozzy talk about their techniques for these songs on tour was fascinating. It was also refreshing to get a live-streamed concert, which totally immersed the viewer, not only with the intro film, but with an elaborate audio and video setup. It is not easy for these types of events to hit as hard as they do in person, but Fozzy nailed it.
The entire production was thoughtfully pieced together, and was an oasis in what has mostly been a desert for new and interesting live showcases of music. Fozzy clearly cares about their true fans, and has an ongoing desire to bring their energy and hospitality, even in rather unconventional situations. In fact, it is in those situations Fozzy seems to be at their most creative; and we are all the more blessed for it.
If for some strange reason you missed the initial Livestream on November 14th, stress not. Tickets are still available to purchase and will be available to watch until November 29th. Purchase tickets HERE.
It is hard to grasp the full force of an artist without first witnessing the raw, spontaneous energy of their live show. Live albums have always been the highlight reel into an artist’s back catalog. While the days of stuffing a tape deck into your pants to record the blown-out audio of your favorite bands are long gone, there will always be a place for live recordings in any music die-hard’s record collection.
For the last 16 years, ALTER BRIDGE has been the embodiment of creative triumph in the face of scrutiny and uncertainty. After the massive commercial success of 90’s hard rock juggernauts, Creed came to its highly-publicized conclusion due to the band’s golden child, Scott Stapp succumbing to his own personal struggles; the remaining members of Creed remained steadfast while refocusing their efforts on a new project. Guitarist, Mark Tremonti; bassist, Brian Marshall; and drummer Scott Phillips enlisted ex-Mayfield Four vocalist, Myles Kennedy to round out the line-up just months before Creed’s official end.
Walk The Sky 2.0 is a 7-song EP, from veteran hard rockers, ALTER BRIDGE that showcases an impressive mix of live recordings of songs off their latest album, Walk The Sky as well as a newly recorded and surprisingly massive, original track.
The EP wastes no time launching headfirst into the pulverizing opener, “Last Rites”, their latest track that was written and recorded entirely during the Covid-19 pandemic. A crushing, Alice In Chains-esche riff propels the album forward as Kennedy’s impressive vocal range is front and center, weaving a not-so-subtle nod to Seattle grunge, while infusing his own unique voice to the track.
The bulk of the album focuses on live performances of set list favorites from Walk The Sky. “Wouldn’t You Rather” is a fitting opener to the pseudo live set that gets the energy flowing and ready for a night of fist-pumping, anthemic hard rock. The Synthwave infused, “Pay No Mind” maintains its intense, melodic complexity while title-track, “Native Son” never misses its target with those infectiously catchy choruses, easily-digestible yet complex riffs and impassioned lyricism. The EP comes to a massive close with “Dying Light”, an emotionally-charged, arena rock anthem that showcases the band at its emotive peak with Kennedy’s soaring vocals cutting through the complexity of Tremonti’s impressive guitar work.
While darkened clouds seem never ending, Walk The Sky 2.0 is a welcome patch of blue in these uncertain times. Grab your headphones and transport yourself to a time before the fires, the ideocracy, and the self-isolation.
ALTER BRIDGE will be there to welcome you.
As always, rock on my friends! Hunnypot Approved! Overall Rating: 9.3 out of 10
Artist: Alter Bridge LP: Walk the Sky 2.0, Release Date: Nov 6, 2020 Label: Napalm Records